Apologies

Last week was quite explicit, so this week is a cooldown, and a bit of a slice of awkward, everyday life.

Austin crushed the empty beer can in his hand and let it drop to the ground. He hauled himself up off his chair, grabbed his crutches and hobbled towards his garage door. The evening light threw a golden glow onto the black high-tops that filled the driveway. He knew Sidney was coming long before he had seen the sneakers walking down the street towards him, her steps felt like a lorry thundering down a freeway, coming directly for him.

He stopped short of the half open garage door. She wouldn’t be able to see him, but then she was standing so close that her sneakers blocked the entrance anyway. He could smell the rubber and the suede, and the zing of fresh sweat. He saw her toes scrunch.

“Hey Sid.”

“Hey Austin.” There was a pause that went on too long. Austin thought about cracking another beer. “Look.” Another long pause. “I’m sorry about your car.”

Austin just stood there and waited. His car was also in the driveway. The roof and hood were heavily dented, the panels crumpled. The front wheels had buckled underneath. It was kind of a miracle that the windshield hadn’t caved in. All this after Sidney had placed one of her feet on the SUV, in these same shoes, and began to step down. Fortunately one of her friends had pulled her away.

“How are you Austin?”

“I’m fine. I guess I was lucky.”

“I didn’t… I… I was just so mad. I couldn’t believe you’d…”

“I didn’t.” He said. “I didn’t do anything.”

“But Abi told me…”

“I didn’t.”

The gigantic sneakers shuffled slightly, and Austin could see the fresh cracks in the asphalt. He’d have to patch them again.

“Ok well look, I’m sorry ok. It won’t happen again.”

“Ok.”

“Ok. I’m going to go now but I’ll see you at the weekend.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Alright.”

The sneakers stepped back and took off down the street as delicately as they could. Austin had to fight to keep his balance on the crutches. He hobbled forwards and looked ruefully down the empty street at the cratered surface. This was going to be a tricky breakup.